$7 million in state grants is headed to groups across Illinois to bolster ag and tech. Among the grantees:.⚪️A new food processing incubator at SIU .⚪️An ag tech incubator in Galesburg.⚪️A second incubator at the U of I for growth-stage startup companies.

Southern corn rust has been confirmed in multiple Illinois counties — and the hot, humid conditions we're currently in can accelerate the spread of the corn disease. Several cases have also been confirmed in surrounding states.

The U.S. Trade Representative has started an investigation into Brazilian trade practices, including ethanol market access. The investigation seeks to determine whether the country's practices burden or restrict U.S. commerce.

A heat wave will impact all of Illinois this week. High temps + high dew points + high humidity levels = triple-digit heat indices — and there will be very little relief even during the overnight hours, @JTatRFDRadio reports. #ilwx

Taken as a whole, Illinois crops are progressing at a pace ahead of average, @USDA data showed Monday. 79% of corn is silking and 68% of soybeans blooming. But as one CropWatcher tells @JTatRFDRadio, how things look vary greatly depending on where you are.

RT @JTatRFDRadio: A new week of content. Today's line-up features @ILFarmBureau's Kevin Semlow, @FarmWeekNow CropWatcher report from Wabash….

🚨 Today is the last day to register for the Illinois Rural Health Association's 36th annual education conference. Attendees will have more than 20 educational workshops and panel discussions to choose from during the two-day conference in Champaign.

Spring weather had some Illinois farmers worried about winter #wheat conditions, and while results varied across the state as harvest unfolded, some reported the crop fared pretty well given the challenges.

The current grain market is testing the adage that says low prices are the cure for low prices. Those lows have discouraged some farmers from selling while also increasing export sales, @Commstockag's Joe Camp writes in this week's Market Focus.

RT @JTatRFDRadio: "Tool shed" conversation in Champaign County with @ILFarmBureau's Ryan Whitehouse. @ILComptroller reflects on career in p….

Call it a black bear summer: A wildlife disease manager for @IllinoisDNR says July is one of three months in Illinois in which bear sightings are likely — and multiple landowners have reported seeing a black bear in Jo Daviess and Carroll counties recently

Drought is easing in some parts of northern Illinois after recent rainfall, but nearly two dozen counties remain in "abnormally dry" or drought-adjacent conditions. In areas that did receive rain, some crops also received wind and hail damage. #ilwx .

RT @JTatRFDRadio: Apple growing season with @JonamacOrchard. Volunteer opportunities at Illinois Specialty Growers tent during @ILStateFair….

The recently passed budget reconciliation bill allows for additional base acres to be added for farm program payments. But the rules for adding the new acres aren't clear, ag economists said in a recent @farmdocDaily webinar.

RT @IllinoisWheat: There is still time to register for the Summer Forum! The event will be held July 31 at 4 p.m. at the American Farm Heri….

The halfway point of meteorological summer has arrived and overall, most of the Corn Belt is in "pretty good shape," DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick tells @JTatRFDRadio. Some parts of northeastern Illinois, however, remain especially dry. #ilwx

There's not a lot in the central Illinois village of Benson (pop. 402) — but there IS a grocery store. Three sisters and their mother have now opened the first one in the area in at least 30 years, sourcing fresh produce from farmers within 40 miles. ➡️

Ag land values remained steady through the first half of this year, @FarmersNational finds. Inventory remains limited: Listings are down 20-25% from a peak in 2020-21.

RT @JTatRFDRadio: Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the 4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello. July challenge from Licensed professional counse….

A longtime @UofIllinois researcher's work on photosynthesis and crop engineering has been recognized by the @WorldFoodPrize Foundation. Stephen Long was named a Top Agri-food Pioneer, which honors people driving change in both ag and global food security.